Mackereth leaving state government for county post

State Rep. Bev Mackereth, R-Spring Grove, has announced that she will not run for re-election so she can take over as York County's human services director.

Mackereth said she will serve out her current term and take over the county position at the beginning of December. She will replace Judith Basset, who resigned at the beginning of May.

Mackereth joined county commissioners for a news conference Tuesday to announce the move. The other Republican state representatives from York County were present, as was local attorney general Stan Rebert and York County Republican Party chairman A.

Carville Foster.

Mackereth has a history with the York County government. She previously served as a supervisor with the York County Children and Youth Services, then worked for Rebert's office.

County Commissioner Chris Reilly said he's confident that experience will serve her well in her new position.

"Public service has been a hallmark of her professional career," Reilly said.

The commissioners said they chose Mackereth because of her familiarity with offices in the county's human services department and her knowledge of state government.

"I think she will be a great lobbyist for us in the state," President Commissioner Steve Chronister said.

The county approached her about the vacancy about three weeks ago, he said, when Chronister noticed how she assisted in a case with Children and Youth Services.

The commissioners had not conducted interviews before Mackereth was offered the job, he said. Chuck Noll, county administrator/chief clerk, said the county isn't required to solicit applications before filling an executive-level vacancy.

During her nearly 17 years with the county, Mackereth worked with children and served as an advocate for victims of abuse, Chronister said.

"She's a known entity," he said. "With this position, we didn't want to take any chances."

Foster said elected county Republican Party committee members will now choose a candidate to run for leadership of the 196th District in November.

No Democrat ran in the April primary in Mackereth's district. Unless a Democratic candidate conducts a write-in campaign, her replacement will run unopposed in November.

During the news conference, Mackereth thanked the members of York County's statehouse delegation for their guidance during her eight years in office and the residents of her district for electing her.

"I appreciate so much the confidence they have shown in me to allow me to serve them in Harrisburg," Mackereth said. "That's huge."

Mackereth lives in Spring Grove with her husband and has four children.

WORK HISTORY

Here is a partial list of Mackereth's work history:

1979: First worked with the county in the York County Blind Center.

1980-1987: Became a caseworker and then supervisor at county Children and Youth Services.

1987-1997: Worked as a Victim/Witness Coordinator for the county district attorney's office and developed a local effort to coordinate services for crime victims.

1996-2000: Was elected mayor of Spring Grove. Before becoming mayor, Mackereth served on the Spring Grove Borough Council and Planning Commission.

1997: Appointed by former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge as Deputy Director of the Governor's Community Partnershsip for Safe Children.

2000: First elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

2008: Will serve as the new executive director of human services for the county.